GBMD KJ Anusavice Award
The Brazilian Group of Dental Materials (GBMD) sponsors several programs aimed at encouraging students to conduct research in dental materials and hopefully to pursue careers in academics. One of these programs, started in 2022, is the GBMD KJ Anusavice Award.
Who was Kenneth J. Anusavice?
Dr. Ken Anusavice was born in Worcester, MA, USA (August 6, 1940). He received his bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1962. In 1970, Dr. Anusavice completed his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Florida (UF) and received his dental degree (D.M.D.) at the Medical College of Georgia in 1977. This all had been a sound basis for a successful career in practicing and teaching dentistry and as a dedicated researcher.
In 1983, he accepted the position as Chairman of the Department of Dental Biomaterials at the College of Dentistry, University of Florida in Gainesville, which he led until his retirement. He also served as director of the Center for Dental Biomaterials and Associate Dean for Research at the UF.
Dr. Anusavice had a distinguished career as an internationally recognized scientist in dental biomaterials. He brought over $15 million in federally funded research support to the University of Florida and published more than 160 peer-reviewed research articles. He was author/editor of several books including the highly recognized textbook “Phillips Science of Dental Materials”. His main area of research was dental biomaterials, especially dental ceramics.
Dr. Anusavice served as President of the American Association for Dental Research, now the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, in 2003. He was Chair of the American Dental Association Standards Committee on Dental Products (ADA SCDP) and US Technical Advisory Group from 1998-2003 and Chair of the International Standards Organization TC/106 from 2014-2015.
He died on September 30, 2021 in St. Augustine, FL, USA. Dr. Kenneth J. Anusavice was a professor emeritus of the College of Dentistry, UF, where he had retired in 2010, after 27 years serving on the faculty.
Dr. Ken Anusavice was a well-recognized and highly respected member of the dental scientific community and a great friend to many. He has made great contributions to the field of dental biomaterials and the Brazilian Group of Dental Materials (GBMD) will keep an honorable memory of him.
The GBMD KJ Anusavice Award
The award was created in 2021 to recognize annually the best study in the field of Dental Materials presented at the GBMD annual meeting. The idea was presented to honor Dr Anusavice's memory. It was brought to the GBMD Board of Directors by the President, Alvaro Della Bona, one of the few PhD students of Dr Anusavice. The award plan was approved and registered (GBMD Minutes 02/2021 from October 13, 2021). The award description and certificate design were designed by the GBMD Board of Directors in 2021 (registered in the GBMD Minutes 03/2021 from December 9, 2021).
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration for the GBMD KJ Anusavice award you must be a member of the Brazilian Group of Dental Materials (GBMD) at the time you apply for the award. The award is open for presenters under the Professional and Postgraduate status. Upon submitting the study (Abstract) to the GBMD Annual Meeting it is also required the submission of a short video (up to 5 min) to present the study. It is also required to attend the GBMD Annual Meeting to present the study. At the time you submit your abstract, you will be required to indicate if you wish to be considered for the GBMD KJ Anusavice Award (there will be an award application checkbox). Please note that previous GBMD KJ Anusavice Award winners are not eligible for this competition.
The Award will be presented at the Awards Ceremony, and include a monetary value, a certificate and free registration to attend the GBMD meeting next year.